A historic centre, not the only origin
The Caspian basin is one of the great historic centres of sturgeon fishing and the caviar trade. Iran’s southern shores form part of this regional heritage. Caviar is prepared, salted sturgeon roe: the sea is a habitat, not an ingredient that produces caviar by itself. Sturgeons also occur beyond the Caspian, so it would be inaccurate to call it the sole birthplace of all caviar.
From wild heritage to aquaculture
A 2014 CITES account documents Iranian sturgeon farms and caviar production, alongside efforts to support wild populations. The region’s history should not be confused with a claim that a contemporary jar contains wild-caught Caspian caviar.
The view from above
This genuine astronaut photograph looks south across much of the Caspian. The mountains of northern Iran mark its far shore. It is a geographic illustration, not a picture of a SHAHDORÉ supplier or farm.